Abstract: A device for use by a deafblind person is disclosed. The device comprises a first key for manually inputting a series of words in the form of a code, a second key for manually inputting an action to be performed by the device, a third key for manually inputting a user preference, and a fourth key for manually inputting communication instructions. The device further has an internal processor programmed to carry out communication functions and search and guide functions. The device has various safety and security functions for pedestrians or persons in transit. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an electronic cane known as an eCane. Also disclosed is a system for allowing a deafblind person to enjoy television programs.

Abstract: A method and system is described that estimates gas turbine engine module performance changes from gas path measurement data using a linear predictor-corrector estimation process. A measurement configuration matrix MC and a fault configuration FC matrix are assembled. The configuration matrices MC and FC are used to adapt a typical linear predictor-corrector type of performance estimation process to a given measurement suite and are ideally suited for linear estimation systems such as those using a Kalman filter.

Abstract: A speaker unit includes first and second drivers carried by first and second enclosures. A first linkage supports the second driver enclosure relative to the first driver enclosure and provides at least two positional degrees of freedom of movement of the second driver enclosure relative to the first driver enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a position of a moveable platform includes a plurality of transponder modules. The transponder modules include an electromagnetic transmitter adapted to emit an electromagnetic signal, and an acoustic receiver adapted to receive an acoustic signal. At least two of the plurality of transponders are disposed about the position to be measured. The apparatus also includes at least one transceiver module affixed to the moveable platform, which transceiver modules includes an acoustic transmitter adapted to emit an acoustic signal, an electromagnetic receiver adapted to receive an electromagnetic signal. The apparatus also includes a timing mechanism for measuring a plurality of durations between an emission of the acoustic signal and a receipt of the electromagnetic signal, and a computing mechanism for processing the plurality of durations to compute the position.

Abstract: A cooled turbine engine component is made by providing first and second pieces respectively having first and second surfaces. At least one circuit is formed in at least one of the first and second surfaces. A first plurality of apertures is provided in the first piece to form inlets to the at least one circuit. A second plurality of apertures is provided in the second piece to form outlets to the at least one circuit. A combination of the first and second pieces is assembled and integrated.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to streaming technology and, more particularly, to a packet scheduling method for streaming multimedia data. The packet scheduling method of the present invention streams multimedia data by a server in a network. The network includes the server for providing multimedia data divided into picture groups each having a sequence of N pictures, and a terminal for displaying the multimedia data received from the server in a streaming manner. In the packet scheduling method, the sequences of the pictures are divided into motion part packets and texture part packets, and priorities are assigned to the packets according to temporal scaling. A threshold for a predetermined priority is determined in consideration of conditions of a channel and a buffer status of the terminal and a substream is constructed using packets with priorities below the threshold within the respective picture groups. The packets in the constructed substream are sequentially transmitted to the terminal.

Abstract: A method for damage limitation in a partially overlapping frontal collision of two motor vehicles involves a signal indicating the start of a collision or an imminent collision causing the steerable front wheels (9, 10) to be turned in such a manner that the wheel plane (34) of the collision-side wheel (9) intersects the vertical longitudinal central plane (33) of the vehicle at a point (36) in front of said vehicle. For this purpose, a connecting element (17) provides for the rapid build up of pressure in the steering device (13-16), and, in the event of a collision, the connecting element (17) acts on the steering device (13-16) in such a manner that at least the collision-side front wheel (9) is turned in a positive direction.

Abstract: At least one feedcore and at least one wall cooling core are assembled with a number of elements of a die for forming a cooled turbine engine element investment casting pattern. A sacrificial material is molded in the die. The sacrificial material is removed from the die. The removing includes extracting a first of the die elements from a compartment in a second of the die elements before disengaging the second die element from the sacrificial material. The first element includes a compartment receiving an outlet end portion of a first of the wall cooling cores in the assembly and disengages therefrom in the extraction.

Abstract: A method for the pyrolosis of biomass with the aid of a heating element and a feed for guiding the biomass. During pyrolysis, the heating element and the biomass are pressed against each other at a pressure of 5 bars-80 bars. A device for pyrolysing biomasses, comprises a material supply and a pyrolysing station. The material supply comprises elements for generating a pressure of between 5 bars and 200 bars, pressing the raw material which is to be pyrolysed against the pyrolysing station. The pyrolysing station comprises a heating element which is heated to a temperature of between 300° C. and 1000° C. in an operational state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recovery method using extendible hashing-based cluster logs in a shared-nothing spatial database cluster, which eliminates the duplication of cluster logs required for cluster recovery in a shared-nothing database cluster, so that recovery time is decreased, thus allowing the shared-nothing spatial database cluster system to continuously provide stable service. In the recovery method, if a failure occurs in a predetermined node, a second node in a group, including the node, records cluster logs in main memory on the basis of extendible hashing. If the node that has failed recovers itself using a local log, the second node in the group transmits cluster logs in packets to a recovery node that is the failed node. If the recovery node reflects the received cluster logs and maintains consistency with other nodes in the group, the recovery node resumes normal service.

Abstract: A method for remote control of structural appliances includes the steps of communicating a structural appliance with a server programmed to accept mobile device commands; communicating a mobile device with the server; issuing the mobile device commands from the mobile device to the server; converting the mobile device commands to structural appliance commands; and issuing the structural appliance commands from the server to the structural appliance, whereby wireless control of the structural appliance is established.

Abstract: There is provided a turbine engine component, such as a duct pipe, comprising an annular flange, at least one element, such as two duct pipe halfs, to be mated to the flange, and mating system for joining the at least one element to the flange. The mating system includes a first annular groove in the flange, which groove has two opposed planar wall portions for preventing axial movement of the at least one element relative to the flange. In a preferred embodiment, the mating system also includes a second annular groove in the flange. A sealing element is positioned within the second annular groove.

Abstract: A quick coupling (1) comprising a sleeve-shaped coupling body (3) with a receiving opening (4) to receive one end (5) of a pipe (2), a retaining element (7) to hold the end (5) of the pipe in the coupling body (3), a sealing element (8) to seal the pipe (2) against the coupling body (3) and a securing element (9) to secure the connection between the pipe (2) and the coupling body (3), in conjunction with which reinforcing ribs and locking ribs (23,24) are executed adjacent to the receiving opening (4) on an external surface (21) and an internal surface (22) of the coupling body (3), which ribs extend inwards and outwards in a radial direction and interact with the securing element (9) for the purpose of securing the connection between the pipe (2) and the coupling body (3).

Abstract: A method for operating a tool shaft with the aid of a sensor element of a sensor, particularly an injection mold, in which at least one sensor, e.g. for determining an internal pressure of the mold, is assigned to the cavity. To this end, the sensor element is placed inside a sleeve with play and is subsequently calibrated, then, after determining the sensitivity, a correspondingly codeable component, e.g. a resistor, is selected, is fitted into the sensor, and the sensor, together with the sleeve, is placed inside a borehole of a mold wall.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for conditioning the space within an enclosure having at least one inlet and one outlet, the system comprising first and second liquid/air heat exchangers; the first heat exchanger having an opening for receiving fresh air from the environment and for propelling the fresh air through the first heat exchanger to exchange heat with the liquid before it is entered into the enclosure, and the second heat exchanger having an opening for receiving air from the enclosure and for propelling it through the second heat exchanger to exchange heat with the liquid before it is expelled into the atmosphere. There are also provided methods for air-conditioning an enclosed space and for evaporation of industrial wastes.

Abstract: A method for regulating the contraction of molded parts in a cavity in a mold of an injection molding machine after completing the filling process of the cavity with molten mass. According to the method, the temperature of the mold is regulated, whereby the temperature and/or the internal pressure in the cavity is monitored and adapted to a reference curve by performing temperature equalization of the mold from the end of the filling phase or from a maximum pressure in the cavity until the end of the injection cycle.

Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device comprises a metallic support plate 1; a light-reflective reflector 3 mounted on the support plate 1 and formed with a hole 3a; a semiconductor light emitting element 2 mounted on the support plate 1 within the hole 3a of the reflector 3, and a plastic encapsulant 6 for sealing an outer periphery of the reflector 3 and an upper surface 1c of the support plate 1. As the reflector 3 is electrically connected to a wiring conductor 5 or a lead wire 8 extends through a notch 3k formed in the reflector 3 to electrically connect the semiconductor light emitting element 2 and wiring conductor 5, wiring span of the lead wire 8 can be shortened to prevent deformation of the lead wire 8. Simultaneously, diameter of the reflective surface 3c in the reflector 3 is reduced and height of the reflector 3 is increased to improve directivity and axial brightness of light from the semiconductor light emitting device.

Abstract: A surfactant blend for servicing wells includes a first non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of between about 10 and about 15; a second non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of between about 2 and about 6; and an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-core fuel rod for research reactor and, more particularly, to a multi-core fuel rod for research reactor in which monolithic fuel cores made of uranium-molybdenum alloy are disposed in an aluminum matrix in a multi-core form. The multi-core fuel rod in accordance with the present invention provides a minimized contact surface area between nuclear fuel and aluminum, and reduces the formation of pores and swelling by restraining formation of reaction layer to avoid excessive reaction between the fuel and aluminum. Therefore, improved stability of nuclear fuel can be obtained by minimizing temperature rise as well as achieving high density and thermal conductivity of the fuel.

Abstract: A method for heat treating at least one workpiece, such as a coated turbine engine component, is provided. The method comprises the steps of cleaning a furnace to be used during the heat treating method, which cleaning method comprising injecting a gas at a workpiece center location and applying heat, and diffusion heat treating the at least one workpiece in a gas atmosphere with the gas being injected at the workpiece center location. After the diffusion heat treatment step, the coated workpiece(s) may be subjected to a surface finishing operation such as a peening operation.